Bits N Bridles

The stars were aligned last week for Invercargill couple Mark and Debbie Shirley.

On Thursday in the hands of Nathan Williamson, their four year old trotter Rydgemont Heir (Majestic Son) won his second race. And a day later his young full-sister Majestic Milly qualified nine seconds under time at Winton.

Both are out of Rydgemont Milly which won ten races for the Shirleys. Her dam Domination also won ten.

Ridgemont Milly is in foal to Tactical Approach.

Art Major mare Tandias Bromac also had a good weekend, leaving two winners.

I’m The Falcon won his fifteenth race at Menangle and took is earnings to over $300,000 while Dino his younger full brother trained by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, won at Alexandra Park.

Dino is owned by Dean Shannon, while Mick Boot and trainer Jason Grimson share in the ownership of I’m The Falcon.

Pacing warhorse Santanna Mach (Santanna Blue Chip) bowed out of racing on a winning note last Sunday at Addington.

Over nine seasons of racing the twelve year old had 280 starts for 26 wins and has banked $295,694.

He started on every harness racing course in the country from Ruakaka in the north to Ascot Park in the south.

Santana Mach recorded nine of his wins at Addington and five at Manawatu. Blair Orange and Wilson House drove him for nine of his wins each.

His most successful season was as a seven year old when he won five of his forty two starts.

Trotting master Paul Nairn’s win with Lookin Snazzy (Bettor’s Delight) last Sunday at Addington was a bit of a rarity.

 

Of his 448 training wins over forty three seasons, 445 have been with trotters. Outside of Lookin Snazzy his only other pacing winner was Outofmyway (two wins) at Westport in 2021.

The influence of broodmare Scuse Me (BG’s Bunny) grows by the day and her granddaughter Cherish Me (Downbytheseaside) continued the family legacy with her win last Friday night at Addington.

Horses that trace back to Scuse Me have won an amazing 359 races and the wins don’t look like slowing down.

Many of her progeny’s wins have been in the higher end stakes races and in New Zealand alone, members of her family have won 42 Group One races.

Her bloodlines are sought after, particularly at yearling sales time.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink